DATE=12/2/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=NORTHERN IRELAND HOME RULE(L)
NUMBER=2-256648
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Britain has officially transferred home rule
powers to Northern Ireland. In the next step of the
process, the Irish Republic in the south has revised
its constitution to drop reference to any hostile
claims to Ulster province. V-O-A Correspondent Laurie
Kassman reports from London that now it is up to the
Irish Republican Army (I-R-A) to name its
representative to cooperate with the special
commission on disarmament.
TEXT: Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern has fulfilled
his part of the peace deal for Northern Ireland with a
signature on the revised constitution. The new text
drops any hostile claims to the north. The act follows
Britain's handover of home rule powers to Belfast.
/// AHERN ACT ///
We now have a framework within which profound
differences can be accommodated on the basis of
consent and growing friendship. We have lived
for too long with the consequences of the
failures of the past. We can now move into the
new future, rich in the promise of peace,
partnership and prosperity.
/// END ACT ///
Prime Minister Ahern also has signed the documents
setting up six cross-border committees to deal with
issues of mutual concern as outlined in the 1998 Good
Friday peace agreement.
Britain's Secretary for Northern Ireland, Peter
Mandelson, has called it the dawn of a new era for
Northern Ireland.
/// MANDELSON ACT ///
All the people of this island have had a chance
to express their view, to choose division or
agreement. Overwhelmingly they chose agreement,
consent and peace over division, coercion and
violence.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Mandelson has seen his duties sharply reduced now
that responsibility for most of Northern Ireland's
daily administration has been passed to the Belfast
government. But Britain will retain direct control
over taxation and security matters.
/// REST OPT ///
The next step of the carefully sequenced peace plan
calls for the Irish Republican Army to name its
representative who will work with the special
disarmament commission. Paramilitaries are expected
to hand over their weapons by May of next year, as
required by the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement.
The timing of the I-R-A disarmament had stalled the
establishment of the all-party cabinet, which now
includes two members of the I-R-A's political wing.
The cabinet was officially set up on Monday, opening
the way for the British parliament to transfer home
rule powers to Belfast - ending 25 years of direct
rule.
The headline of the Irish Times Thursday summed up the
buoyant mood on the island. It read simply: "Power to
the People." (Signed)
NEB/LMK/GE/gm
02-Dec-1999 07:00 AM EDT (02-Dec-1999 1200 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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